Prince Rogers Nelson was born in a hot Minnesota June in 1958 to Mattie Della and John Lewis Nelson. He had music in his bones: John was a songwriter and pianist and his mother, Mattie, was a jazz singer. Prince was even named after a band: the Prince Rogers Trio, with whom his father played. John later said: “I named my son Prince because I wanted him to do everything I wanted to do.”

The Nelson family’s musical connection led Prince into the industry at a young age. While at High School he played piano and guitar in a band with his cousin. The group became known as Champagne and played music inspired by Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire and Miles Davis.